APPARATUS TO RECOVER INCOHERENT MATERIAL PRESENT IN A PROCESS FLUID, AND CORRESPONDING METHOD

Abstract

An apparatus to recover incoherent material present in a process fluid to be treated (F1) comprises a separation device (13) to separate, by means of centrifugal action, the incoherent material (M) from the process fluid (F) and a pumping unit (12) configured to remove the process fluid to be treated (F1) from a collection zone (11) and send it to the separation device (13).

Claims

1. Apparatus to recover incoherent material present in a process fluid deriving from industrial operations performed in at least one user machine, comprising: a separation device configured to separate the incoherent material from the process fluid, said separation device being provided at least with one entrance for the process fluid to be treated provided tangent with respect to said separation device and at least one exit to discharge the incoherent material provided along the oblong development of said separation device and downstream of said entrance; and a pumping unit configured to remove the process fluid to be treated from a collection zone of said user machine and send it to said entrance of the separation device.

2. Recovery apparatus as in claim 1, further including a selection device disposed downstream of said discharge exit, said selection device being configured to select, on the basis of the granulometry, at least a fine portion and a large portion of said incoherent material.

3. Recovery apparatus as in claim 2, further including at least one first collection element configured to receive said fine portion and a second collection element configured to receive said large portion.

4. Recovery apparatus as in claim 3, further including a drying device disposed downstream of said selection device and upstream of said second collection element, said drying device being configured to at least partly dry at least said large portion of said incoherent material.

5. Recovery apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said pumping unit comprises an anti-wear pump, in particular a peristaltic pump.

6. Recovery apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said separation device is of the cyclone type.

7. Recovery apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said separation device is also provided with an exit to recirculate the process fluid treated, that is, substantially free of incoherent material, said recirculation exit being provided on the side opposite said discharge exit and transverse with respect to said entrance.

8. Recovery apparatus as in claim 7 and in which said pumping unit is connected, by means of a suction pipe, to the collection zone where the process fluid to be treated is located, wherein said recirculation exit is fluidically connected to a recirculation pipe able to supply at least part of said treated process fluid to a fluidization unit disposed in said collection zone and configured to force said process fluid to be treated toward said suction pipe.

9. Recovery apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said first collection element is configured to release the residual process fluid, discharged together with said fine portion of the incoherent material, and retain said fine portion inside it.

10. Recovery apparatus as in claim 3, further including a drain pipe associated with said first collection element, on the side opposite the discharge exit, to channel and recover the residual process fluid which is released by gravity through said first collection element, said drain pipe being configured to transfer said drained residual process fluid through said first collection element into a destination zone of the process fluid itself.

11. Recovery apparatus as in claim 1, further including a discharge valve disposed downstream of said discharge exit to selectively open said discharge exit in order to release the recovered incoherent material, said discharge valve being a timed discharge valve.

12. Recovery apparatus as in claim 11, further including a control unit configured to manage the functioning of said separation device, of said pumping unit and of said discharge valve as a function of the type and sizes of the incoherent material to be recovered, of the degree of recovery to be obtained and of the type of process fluid.

13. Cutting machine using a jet of process fluid provided with a tank to collect the process fluid to be treated containing at least process fluid mixed with incoherent material, and with an apparatus to recover incoherent material as in any claim hereinbefore, wherein said process fluid is water.

14. Method to recover incoherent material present in a process fluid to be treated, the method comprising: removing the process fluid to be treated containing at least process fluid and said incoherent material from a collection zone; separating the incoherent material from the process fluid itself in a separation device; recovering the incoherent material separated from the process fluid; and recovering the process fluid purified of the incoherent material.

15. Method as in claim 14, wherein it provides to select, on the basis of the granulometry, said recovered incoherent material in order to recover at least a large portion and a fine portion thereof.

16. Method as in claim 14, wherein it provides to at least partly dry at least one of said portions of incoherent material which have been selected.

17. Method as in claim 14, wherein the recovery of incoherent material provides to release and collect, at regular time intervals, at least part of the incoherent material separated from the process fluid, and possibly selected and dried, in at least one collection element.

18. Method as in claim 14, wherein it provides to dehydrate said fine portion of the incoherent material, that is, to remove the residual process fluid by recovering and accumulating said fine portion of the incoherent material in at least one collection element having draining characteristics.

Description

ILLUSTRATION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0050] FIGS. 1 and 3 are schematic views of respective embodiments of a recovery apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

[0051] FIGS. 2 and 4 are perspective views of the embodiments of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 3 respectively.

[0052] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0053] We will now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the invention, of which one examples is shown in the attached drawings.

[0054] Some embodiments described here with reference to the attached drawings concern an apparatus 10 to recover incoherent material M present in a process fluid F.

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment, the recovery apparatus 10 is directly associated with one or more “cold” cutting machines, in particular with machines that use an abrasive water jet.

[0056] However, we do not exclude applying the recovery apparatus 10 on any other working machine whatsoever that provides to use, produce and/or eliminate process fluid F mixed with incoherent material M.

[0057] By incoherent material M, here and in the present description we mean inert material, for example abrasive, of different granulometries which is suspended or immersed in a process fluid F, for example, but not limited to, water, following industrial processes.

[0058] In particular, by incoherent material M we mean both the material originating from pure waterjet cutting of materials such as cement or suchlike, such as for example, but not limited to, solid particles, debris, or residues (particulate matter), and also abrasive material contained in an abrasive water jet such as, but not limited to, abrasive silica sand and material released when cutting hard materials such as metals or suchlike.

[0059] In particular, such incoherent material M is recovered and collected together with the process fluid F in a collection zone 11.

[0060] In the case of waterjet cutting, as shown by way of example in FIG. 2, the collection zone 11 can be a collection tank 11a generally provided under, and in correspondence with, a waterjet cutting machine (not shown).

[0061] By process fluid F we generally mean, here and hereafter in the description, water, aqueous mixtures, pure water, water with suitable additives or similar or comparable fluids.

[0062] According to the present invention, the recovery apparatus 10 comprises a separation device 13 configured to separate, by means of centrifugal action, the incoherent material M from the process fluid F.

[0063] In the specific case shown by way of example in FIGS. 1-4, the separation device 13 is of the cyclone or hydrocyclone type.

[0064] In particular, the separation device 13 is provided with at least one entrance 15 for the process fluid to be treated F1, provided in this case tangential with respect to the separation device 13.

[0065] By process fluid to be treated F1 we mean, here and hereafter in the description, the process fluid F mixed with incoherent material M.

[0066] According to one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the separation device 13 is also provided with at least one exit 16 to discharge the incoherent material M, provided along the oblong development of the separation device 13 and downstream of the entrance 15 as above.

[0067] In particular, the discharge exit 16 is provided coaxial to the oblong development of the separation device 13.

[0068] According to the present invention, the recovery apparatus 10 comprises a pumping unit 12 configured to remove the process fluid to be treated F1 from a collection zone 11 and send it to the entrance 15 of the separation device 13.

[0069] Advantageously, the tangential entrance 15, together with the thrusting action of the pumping unit 12, promotes the generation of the spiral motion inside the separation device 13. The high peripheral speed imparted, in a progressively increasing manner, to the fluid to be treated inside the separation device 13 creates a controlled vorticity such as to project the incoherent material M in suspension toward the external wall, exploiting the centrifugal force which generates a spiral-shaped flow in a downward direction toward the discharge exit 16. Consequently, the incoherent material M, since it has a greater inertia than the process fluid F (typically water), is thrust against the external walls and falls to the bottom of the separation device 13.

[0070] According to some embodiments, the separation device 13 is made of stainless steel. Advantageously, the stainless steel material allows a high resistance to abrasion following contact with the incoherent material M of an abrasive nature, and to oxidation following contact with the process fluid, for example water.

[0071] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the separation device 13 has a cylindrical portion in which the tangential entrance 15 of the process fluid to be treated F1 is provided, and a conical portion associated at the lower part with the cylindrical portion and in communication with the latter. In the conical portion there is provided the exit 16 to discharge the separated incoherent material M. This conical portion substantially acts as a hopper to recover the recovered incoherent material M.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the separation device 13 is also provided with an exit 21 to recirculate the treated process fluid F, the recirculation exit 21 being provided on the side opposite the discharge exit 16 and transverse with respect to the entrance 15.

[0073] Advantageously, the centrifugal force generated inside the separation device 13 is such as to thrust the process fluid F, once treated, upward, that is, toward the recirculation exit 21.

[0074] By treated process fluid F we mean, here and hereafter in the description, process fluid F substantially without any incoherent material M, that is, without any solid substances whatsoever with different granulometries dispersed in the fluid itself.

[0075] With reference to the drawings, this recirculation exit 21 is provided in the cylindrical portion of the separation device 13.

[0076] In particular, the recirculation pipe 19 connects the recirculation exit 21 with a destination zone 25 of the treated process fluid F, in order to recover such fluid. The treated and recovered process fluid F can be reused in subsequent industrial workings, or it can be discharged in a natural manner.

[0077] The destination zone 25 can be a waterjet cutting machine, or a water cooling system, an accumulation tank, plants or systems for industrial working, or discharge plants or systems.

[0078] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the destination zone 25 can coincide with the collection zone 11, substantially producing a closed circuit for the recovery of the process fluid F. For example, the collection zone 11 can be a collection tank 11a of a waterjet cutting machine in which, during the cutting, the water released for the jet cutting itself accumulates.

[0079] According to further embodiments, the treated process fluid F can be sent to a fluidization unit 33 consisting of a series of ejectors 34 to amplify the flow rate. In particular, such ejectors 34 can be disposed in the collection zone 11 so as to force the process fluid F1 to be treated toward the suction pipe 17. Advantageously, this conformation also allows to force the possible incoherent material M, which is deposited for example on the bottom of a collection tank 11a, toward the suction pipe 17 of the apparatus 10.

[0080] A recovery apparatus 10 is thus obtained which is able to continuously recycle the process fluid F, reducing energy consumption, for example relating to the use of a waterjet cutting machine, minimizing its maintenance or cleaning operations.

[0081] In addition, the fluid dynamic characteristics of the recovery apparatus 10 are such as to minimize the pressure drops and to obtain a high flow rate of the treated process fluid F.

[0082] With reference to the attached drawings, the pumping unit 12 is connected, through a suction pipe 17, to the collection zone 11 in which the process fluid to be treated F1 is located.

[0083] In particular, the pumping unit 12 is connected, through a delivery pipe 18, to the entrance 15 of the separation device 13.

[0084] In a preferred embodiment, the pumping unit 12 is an anti-wear pump, in particular a peristaltic pump, which allows to prevent contact between the process fluid to be treated F1, containing the incoherent material M, and the components of the pump itself.

[0085] The peristaltic pump advantageously allows to transfer the process fluid to be treated F1 containing incoherent, in particular abrasive, material M without it coming into direct contact with the internal components of the pumping unit 12, preventing premature wear of the pumping unit 12 and a consequent frequent and expensive maintenance thereof. However, other types of pumps are not excluded.

[0086] As shown by way of example in the attached drawings, the pumping unit 12 can be driven by a motor 23.

[0087] The motor 23 can be for example an electric motor or an endothermic motor.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the recovery apparatus 10 comprises one or more elements 14, 14a to collect the incoherent material M downstream of the discharge exit 16.

[0089] In particular, a first collection element 14 can be configured to drain the process fluid F, through suitable meshes, and retain the incoherent material M inside it. For example, the first collection element 14 can be a draining bag. In this way, the first collection element 14 retains the incoherent material M that has been separated, recovered and discharged by the separation device 13, and allows to dehydrate the incoherent material M itself, draining the residual process fluid F, in particular water, through its meshes.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the first collection element 14, once filled and once the incoherent material M has been dehydrated, can be replaced with a new empty first collection element 14, either manually or automatically. This solution facilitates landfilling of the recovered incoherent material M or its transport to other destinations of use.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the recovery apparatus 10 comprises a drain pipe 20 associated with the first collection element 14, on the side opposite the discharge exit 16, to channel and recover the process fluid F which flows by gravity through the second collection element 14a itself.

[0092] According to one embodiment, the recovery apparatus 10 comprises a conveyor element 27 configured to recover the process fluid F drained by the first collection element 14 and convey it into the drain pipe 20. This conveyor element 27 can have a grid-shaped conformation from the side in contact with the first collection element 14, so as to make the drained process fluid F flow into the conveyor element 27 itself.

[0093] In particular, the drain pipe 20 is configured to introduce the process fluid F drained through the first collection element 14 into the destination zone 25 of the process fluid F. With reference, by way of example, to the attached drawings, the drain pipe 20 can introduce the process fluid F drained by the first collection element 14 into the destination zone 25, exploiting the slope of the drain pipe 20 itself and, therefore, gravity.

[0094] According to one possible variant, with reference to FIG. 4, the drain pipe 20 can introduce the process fluid F, drained by the collection element 14, into the destination zone 25 with the aid of a pump 32.

[0095] In other embodiments, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the recovery apparatus 10 can comprise a selection device 30 downstream of the discharge exit 16. The selection device 30 is configured to select the incoherent material M exiting from the separation device 13 on the basis of the granulometry thereof. Such selection device 30 can preferentially have at least two stages, thus allowing to select a large portion M1 of the incoherent material M having an average granulometry greater than that of a fine portion M2 complementary thereto.

[0096] Two or more elements, first 14 and second 14a, to collect the incoherent material M can be disposed downstream of the selection device 30. In this specific case, the second collection element 14a is intended to collect the large portion M1, having a larger granulometry, of the incoherent material M exiting the selection device 30. The first collection element 14 can instead be intended to collect the fine portion M2, having a smaller granulometry, of the incoherent material M exiting the selection device 30.

[0097] In some preferred embodiments, the recovery apparatus 10 can comprise a drying device 31, interposed between the selection device 30 and the second collection element 14a. The drying device 31 allows to dry the large portion M1 of incoherent material M, that is, the one having a higher average granulometry, before collecting it in the second collection element 14a. In this way, the large portion M1 is immediately recoverable and reusable, making the recovery apparatus 10 of the present invention particularly advantageous. In fact, once filled, the second collection element 14a can be replaced, manually or automatically, with a new empty second collection element 14a. The large portion M1 of incoherent material M thus selected can be recovered for further industrial processing operations (for example, abrasive waterjet cutting).

[0098] Instead, the fine portion M2 of incoherent material M exiting from the selection device 30 and collected in the first collection element 14 can be dehydrated as described previously, thus facilitating its landfilling.

[0099] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 1, the recovery apparatus 10 comprises a discharge pipe 22 associated on one side with the discharge exit 16 of the separation device 13, and on the other with a collection element 14, 14a in order to discharge the incoherent material M inside it.

[0100] In other embodiments, the discharge pipe 22 is associated on one side with the discharge exit 16 of the separation device 13, and on the other with the selection device 30 in order to discharge the incoherent material M inside it.

[0101] According to some embodiments, the recovery apparatus 10 comprises at least one discharge valve 24 disposed downstream of the discharge exit 16.

[0102] In one embodiment, the discharge valve 24 can be mounted on the discharge pipe 22 in order to regulate the outflow of incoherent material M from the discharge exit 16. The discharge valve 24 can be a timed discharge valve so as to be open for a period of time that is adequate to let the right amount of incoherent material M fall into the one or more collection elements 14, 14a and/or into the selection device 30.

[0103] In particular, the discharge valve 24 can be a pneumatically driven timed discharge valve. Thanks to the presence of the timed discharge valve 24, an automatic recovery of the incoherent material M is obtained, preventing periodic maintenance and cleaning interventions and thus accelerating the recovery times of the abrasive material and of the treated process fluid F.

[0104] According to one embodiment, the recovery apparatus 10 comprises a control unit 26 configured to manage the functioning of the separation device 13, of the pumping unit 12, of the discharge valve 24, of the selection device 30 and of the drying device 31 as a function of the type and size of the incoherent material M to be recovered, the degree of recovery to be obtained and the type of process fluid F.

[0105] In particular, the control unit 26 can be configured to control and command the motor 23 of the pumping unit 12.

[0106] According to one embodiment, the control unit 26 can be configured to detect the filling of the collection elements 14, 14a by means of one or more sensors 29, 29a and to signal the need to replace them by means of sound and/or visual signals.

[0107] Such sensors 29, 29a can be weight sensors, as shown by way of example in FIG. 2 or 4, or optical sensors.

[0108] According to one embodiment, the control unit 26 can be configured to regulate the timer associated with the discharge valve 24 as a function of the type of incoherent material M, the sizes of the collection elements 14, 14a and the time required to dehydrate the incoherent material M.

[0109] According to one embodiment, the control unit 26 is configured to close the discharge valve 24 in case of replacement of the collection elements 14, 14a.

[0110] According to one embodiment, the control unit 26 is configured to control and command the pumping unit 12 as a function of the desired entrance pressure and speed of the fluid to be treated F1 in the entrance 15 of the separation device 13, for example , but not limited to, by means of pressure detection means 28.

[0111] The present invention also concerns a method to recover incoherent material M present in a process fluid to be treated F1, which provides to: [0112] remove, from a collection zone 11, the process fluid to be treated F1 containing a process fluid F and the incoherent material M; [0113] separate, by means of centrifugal action in a separation device 13, the incoherent material M from the process fluid F itself; [0114] select the recovered incoherent material M in order to recover at least a large portion M1 and a fine portion M2 thereof, based on the granulometry; [0115] recover the incoherent material M separated from the process fluid F; [0116] recover the process fluid F purified of the incoherent material M.

[0117] In preferred embodiments, the removal of the process fluid F1 occurs through a pumping unit 12 comprising an anti-wear pump, for example a peristaltic pump. However, other types of pumps are not excluded.

[0118] According to further embodiments, the method provides to at least partly dry at least one of the selected portions M1, M2 of incoherent material M.

[0119] According to some embodiments, the recovery of incoherent material M provides to release and collect, at regular time intervals, the incoherent material

[0120] M separated from the process fluid F, and possibly selected and dried, in at least one collection element 14, 14a.

[0121] The method can also comprise dehydrating the fine portion M1 of the incoherent material M, that is, removing the residual process fluid F, by recovering and accumulating the fine portion M1 in a collection element 14, 14a having draining characteristics.

[0122] It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts or steps may be made to the apparatus 10 to recover incoherent material M present in a process fluid F and to the corresponding recovery method as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

[0123] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of recovery apparatus 10 and corresponding recovery method, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.